Saddleback Leather - The Best, Forget the Rest

Speaking of durable leather bags - YOU WILL NEVER NEED TO LOOK ANYWHERE ELSE. At SaddlebackLeather.com you will find a variety of simple, sleek designs made out of 100% full grain leather. I always ached for a leather bag that would last my ENTIRE LIFE. My search has ended now. I can't even remember how I found Dave's site, but when I did my jaw dropped and I started drooling (a little bit). Not only does he have a sense of humour, but his site is a breeze to navigate. He hails from San Antonio, Texas and procures his leather for Ft. Worth Texas.

BEST OF ALL: 100 year warranty!!!!!!! Honestly?!?!??!?

It's a family business, and I know people always say family business can't work well, but, they are bonkers.







His customers seem to be pretty eclectic, as you can tell from the craaaaazy pictures!

Boys & Girls Pirate Kit! Eye Patch and Telescope 100% leather

Hi folks. It's me and I've listed my very first item at Etsy.com! I was inspired by my nephew's birthday party and decided he needed a pirate telescope and eyepatch that could handle being stepped on and drooled on, tackled, etc (; His brother had one made out of cardboard and it died a sad death. Little kids are funny...he stared at the birthday bag, and then calmly but quickly pulled out the tissue paper one by one, dropping each on the ground next to the bag, pulled out the eyepatch, pulled out the telescope, looked at me, and walked away.. I think he was so overwhelmed by the MILLIONS of presents he received he just couldn't take it in. Later, however, he LOVED his new pirate kit, as you can tell from his grin grin in the following pictures. I made his telescope with a loop he can put on his wrist, but I'm thinking I might try another with a sheath that attached to a belt, or perhaps a snapping loop to fit on a belt loop! Basically, nothing beats talking pirate talk with your 3 year old nephew.

Buffalo Hide Bag - St. Louis, Missouri

stacyleigh, who you can find on etsy.com, is a self-taught leather worker - she made this AMAZING work of art.

She also made this one:

Sea Bags - Portland, Maine

Sea Bags, based out of of Portland, Maine makes water-resistant, machine washable totes made out of repurposed sails. Some bags are white or off white dacron with a design and are sometimes made out of slightly different sail material including canvas and Kevlar. Sea Bags Inc is owned by Hannah Kubiak and Beth Shissler.

Re-purposed leather laptop case - Colorado!

Buckaroosa, another Etsy.com seller, has worked with leather for 29 years. He says it is part of his life and in his blood. He keeps cattle and horses in the rural mountains of Colorado where he makes his amazing and durable creations. His other passions include leather braiding and spinning horsehair.

Hailing from Mississauga Ontario - just across the border...YAHEE

Yahee runs a business out of Mississauga, Ontario. Using amazing repurposed materials, she creates the most beautiful bags...among other things. She uses material for her bags that have already been tried and trusted for year and years....find her creations on etsy at yaheesplace.

For the Men: Rugged Boots - All MADE IN THE USA!!!

All of these boots will last forever and look better with each year of wear. These leathers will age nicely and of course get more comfortable each year! Many are industrial grade and have steel toes. How cool is it to know you can get an awesome product right here in the USA?

Katahdin Iron Works Engineer Boots $160

I stumbled across these reading a serious men's thread, lamenting the losses of old, durable friend, and trying to find the perfect replacements. Some of them went with the Katahdin, some went with Frye's Arkansas or Red Wing's Iron Ranger Boot.

Made by the Chippewa Factory in Carthage, Missouri, these boots feature a classic Munson last and premium Goodyear® welted construction with a Vibram sole.

http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?page=katahdin-iron-works-engineer-boots&categoryId=49464&storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1

Frye Arkansas Boot in Smoke $175

So, unfortunately Frye doesn't make all of their shoes in the U.S. A customer service representative informed me that some styles like the Harness boot are made at the factories in Texas or Arkansas, but that others, like this shoe are made in Mexico! Other styles could even be made in Spain, or China!! Find out before you buy.....

Shoe width Medium 1" Heel 5" Shaft, Lace Up Cork Impregnated Rubber Sole Good Year Welt

http://www.shoeparlor.com/istar.asp?a=6&id=87005_SMOKE!FRY

Field & Forest $120

Barnyard acid resisting leather, cork sole with rubber Vibram heel, removable cushion insert.

http://www.fleetfarm.com/catalog/product_detail/footwear/men-s-footwear/work-boots-shoes/field-n-forest-men-s-8-inch-farm-boot

HOWEVER, these shoelaces are incredibly wrong, so make sure you buy some regular ones like these:

http://www.shoelacesexpress.com/waxeddress.asp

Chippewa Crazy Horse Steel Toe $105

Goodyear Leather Welt Construction, Leather Lined Vamp, Texon Insole, Vibram Nitrile Yellow Plug Outside, Steel Toe ANSI 75 Rated

http://www.bootbarn.com/itemview/men/bootsshoes/motorcycle/shortbikerstyles/2387?utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=feeds&utm_content=Chippewa%20Men's%207%22%20Bay%20Crazy%20Horse%20Steel%20Toe%20Engineer%20Motorcycle%20Boots&utm_campaign=googlebase

Red Wing Iron Ranger $270

This one is made in Red Wing, Minnesota, but ask before you buy...they have three factories in the US: Minnesota, Kentucky, and Missouri, but somtimes they contract in China.

True goodyear welt sole, Red Wing double stitch construction, New classic rugged lace boot, Red Wing signature grade leathers.

http://www.onlyredwing.com/product.php?id=30

Don't forget your leather care...I prefer Granger's Nikwax Tube Cream and Brush-on fabric waterproofing because they don't change the color of your leather. If you don't care, or WANT a deep color, go for Sno Seal or Obenauf's leather care products. You can find the Granger products at www.lonelyplanet.com.

Some people like to use mink oil, and some say mink oil breaks down the fibers in the leather. The truth? Beats me...

Happy New Year,

Sanguine